The Sydney S. Spivack Program in
Applied Social Research and Social Policy

Deadline: February 15th

The ASA encourages applications for the Congressional Fellowship. The Fellowship brings a PhD-level sociologist to Washington, DC, to work as a staff member on a congressional committee or in a congressional office. This intensive twelve month (September to September) experience reveals the intricacies of the policy making process to the sociological fellow, and shows the usefulness of sociological data and concepts to policy issues.

The 1996 fellow, Richard Gelles, said of the fellowship, "This is the most meaningful professional experience I have had in the past 20 years." Gelles worked with the Senate Subcommittee Youth Violence, Chaired by Senator Thompson (R-TN), on the re-authorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Act. He also worked as a member of the House Subcommittee on Human Resources writing critical legislative reports about child welfare legislation.

Each applicant should have a general idea about the area of interest, some experience in client-driven work, good writing skills, and a commitment to the policy process. It is helpful to investigate some placement possibilities in advance, or to suggest some in the letter of interest. The application should highlight the link between one's sociological expertise and a current policy issue.

The 2004/05 Fellow, Tomas Jimenez, worked for Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA) on immigration and poverty issues. The 2005/06 Fellow was Erma Lawson, University of North Texas, who worked for Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). Rebecca Sager, worked for Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), as ASA's 2006/07 Fellow. Elisabeth Jacobs, Harvard University, was the 2007/08 Fellow and worked for the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. Sada Aksartova, George Mason University, was the 2008/09 Fellow, spending her fellowship at the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

The stipend for the Fellowship is $66,000 for 12 months. (The Fellow is not an ASA employee and thus there are no additional benefits, including health insurance.) The Fellowship is funded by the American Sociological Foundation and is part of the Spivack Program in Applied Social Research and Social Policy.

Applications may be submitted via email or USPS. If you are submitting your application electronically, remember to email your CV as a PDF file and include “Congressional Fellowship” in the subject line.

Materials must be postmarked by February 15th if sending in regular mail. Send a completed application and a vita to: